Here are three things I think you’ll like about the Conquest Last Argument of Kings game: great for trying something new (gameplay review)!
Sorry for the delay in putting out articles lately. I have been in a funk and am pulling myself out of it. One way I am doing this is by trying out new game systems other than Age of Sigmar, and one of those games is called Conquest Last Argument of Kings by Parabellum Games.
Conquest Two-Player Starter Box:
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Box Contents:
- 1 Limited Edition Polemarch: 1 Resin Miniature, 1 Infantry Base and Stand and 1 Command Card
- 24 Hoplites/Phalangites: 24 Plastic Miniatures, 6 Infantry Plastic Stands, 24 Bases and 4 Command Cards
- 3 Minotaur Thyreans/Haspists: 3 Plastic Miniatures, 3 Brute Plastic Stands, 3 Bases and 2 Command Cards
- 1 Limited Edition Konungyr: 1 Resin Miniature, 1 Infantry Base and stand and 1 Command Card
- 12 Bow Chosen: 12 Plastic Miniatures, 3 Infantry Plastic Stands, 12 Bases and 1 Command Card
- 12 Huskarls: 12 Plastic Miniatures, 3 Infantry Plastic Stands, 12 Bases and 1 Command Card
- 1 Mountain Jotnar: 1 Plastic Monster Miniature, 1 Monster Base and Stand, 1 Command Card
- 2 soft-cover The Last Argument of Kings Version 2 Rulebooks
- Quick Start Scenarios
- 1 Path of Conquest Guide
- Assembly Instructions
I am not trying to say whether Age of Sigmar is a good or bad game (I still enjoy it a lot); I just wanted to try something else to change things up a little bit. As they say, variety is the spice of life! So, let’s talk about my first game and some impressions, good and bad.
Let’s Try a New Game: Conquest Gameplay Review
The first thing I would do if you are interested in the game is to see if there is a Vanguard local to your shop or area. These people have signed up with Para Bellum Games to host events, teach new players, and promote the game. Note they are doing this for free, so be nice and try and work with them on schedule.
These players generally have two armies that they can let you use to try out the game and see if it is something you are interested in. Having someone there who knows the rules (which are free online) and is passionate about the game is a huge perk to learning.
My first game was 1000 points, and I found it fun enough to invest in a Nords one-player starter box. After that, I got some models along with another guy hopping into the hobby (we both chose Nords), and we played a second game against each other while the Vanguard helped us out and found it to be a good change of pace from what I am used to.
Good Things About Conquest The Last Argument of Kings
Let’s talk about the top three things I like about the game!
Favorite thing number 1: The rules, applications, etc., are free online and are updated and changed frequently. Everything but your models is free online in a handy app that makes constructing a list easy; this saves me money and time and allows me to purchase more models! Also, the company listens to feedback and tests armies, and if a unit is too strong, they nerf it, or if a rule is not making sense, they change it.
Since it is free and online, it’s easy to do! No more waiting six months to buy a book for $40-$55 that may or may not make a game better.
Favorite thing number 2: The reinforcement system. Units are assigned a Light, Medium, and Heavy value, and they can only come in at various points in the game. A game is ten turns, and as the game progresses, you roll to see which of your units arrive. So, for example, on turn one, only light units can arrive, and they arrive on a 3+. (You always get to bring one unit in, no matter what).
Turn two light units arrive on a 3+ and medium on a 5+; turn three lights arrive automatically, medium on a 3+, and heavy on a 5+. Etc. You get to auto-choose one eligible unit to bring in every turn, so you’re not just standing around doing nothing. There is a method to this madness as well; when you bring in your units, you can always bring them in from your back deployment zone, but as you push forward, you can bring them in from the sides of the board up to the back line of your furthest back troop.
So if you rush forward 18 inches on turn one and that unit survives to turn 2, you bring your reinforcements from the side of the table up to their back line instead of your deployment zone. It makes board control very important.
Favorite thing number 3: I think this is the best thing about the game; it’s an I go, you go system. Before you start your turn, after determining who has initiative and what units are arriving this turn, you build a deck of cards (one for each unit), arrange them however you want, and put them face down on the table.
Then, whoever is starting the round flips their top card and activates that unit, then you flip a card and activate that unit, etc. This keeps you involved, and you’re not sitting around for an hour waiting to do something. This is how most games, including Age of Sigmar, should move towards, as nobody wants to sit around for an hour and do nothing while their opponent plays with toys.
Conquest Gameplay Review: Things That Could be Improved
To be fair to the game, here are the things I think they could do better with.
My least favorite thing, number 1: Model building and the instruction guides that they provide could be improved upon immensely. Many sprues are not labeled, so you have to refer to two or three diagrams and compare pictures to see which piece goes with what piece to get your stuff together.
It is a frustrating process that could be much easier if they took the time to write better instructions and label their spruces. Also, the plastic isn’t the best quality for the price point. It could be a little bit better detailed overall.
However, I see their newer models are much improved over the older ones. Those older ones, though, could use some reworking.
My least favorite thing, number 2: Resolve, is a stat where if your unit takes wounds (outside of volley actions), they have to roll against their resolve, or they take additional wounds (think of it as models running away). This is tough for me because a lot of models have a Resolve of 2 or 3, so you are taking damage from a charge, melee, or spell and then immediately rolling a Resolve where you’re going to take more damage after each strike.
In a game where there aren’t a lot of wounds, this is brutal, and I think it might be better if they make the resolve a little more forgiving than it currently is.
My least favorite thing, number 3: The starter box comes with models and rulebooks, and that is it, which is a little frustrating. They could have included some markers for objectives, different status effects like broken or bastion, etc., made from card stock for not much additional cost.
The other thing I think the game could use is wheel templates, as wheeling is hard to understand. (I am still not sure I have it right.) Putting in some wheel templates that show distance and wheel angle would do wonders for starting players trying to get a feel for it. Instead, I will search the internet for a 3-d file for one and print some myself.
Overall I like the game, though, and can really see it taking off with enough support from the communities around it. With the rules and stats being online rather than on cards allows Para Bellum to be flexible to change things around quickly, which is excellent.
Especially since they are not tying themselves down to an army book or rules that can only be updated every few years, this game can fit into that nice rank-and-file system that people are missing, yet is forgiving enough with the I-go you-go system to make it a fun two or three hours.
Plus, perhaps best of all, you can get yours for less by using an exclusive code from Spikey Bits below if your local game store doesn’t carry it.
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Get 10% Off: (USA & Canada Link) (Overseas Link) USE CODE: SPIKEYBITS
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About the Author: Travis Perkins
